Publication

In action: the Leadership Exchange Programme

Cities collaborate to share innovative solutions to global cultural policy challenges

Since 2018, the World Cities Culture Forum Leadership Exchange Programme has been supporting cities to share innovative solutions to complex cultural policy challenges. Through a series of eleven exchanges the programme has funded cities to visit each other and gain in depth knowledge about different approaches to shared issues, such as supporting affordable creative workspace, reconciling with indigenous communities and protecting culture at risk.

“We believe that by being generous with our ideas and learning from one another we can build fairer and more prosperous cities.”

Justine Simons OBE, Chair of World Cities Culture Forum

The report highlights the tangible impacts that the Leadership Exchange Programme has had on cultural policy and programmes in cities around the world, supporting creativity and cultural expression. You can read more about the Programme and each exchange here.

Read the full report to gain a deeper understanding of how cities are tackling eleven important cultural policy challenges including:

  • Improving access to culture for citizens
  • Growing affordable creative space
  • Supporting artists through new funding models
  • Supporting cultural organisations to be more sustainable
City cultural practitioners share ideas in Lagos

Images Courtesy @ World Cities Culture Forum

Read more about the exchanges

HOW TO GROW AFFORDABLE CREATIVE SPACE

Participants from Amsterdam, Austin, London, New York, San Francisco, Sydney, and Warsaw met city planners, cultural leaders and artist studio providers, to learn from Toronto’s approaches to protecting affordable.

HOW TO BRING CULTURE TO PEOPLE’S DOORSTEP

How can all citizens enjoy the cultural riches of our cities?  Can we celebrate the city’s cultural hidden gems and bring culture to people’s doorsteps? London’s Borough of Culture.

HOW TO DECENTRALISE CULTURE

By using cultural mediation, the two cities could address this challenge and democratise culture throughout city neighbourhoods.

How to protect culture at risk

How can cities protect cultural and community spaces at risk from high rents, planning changes, and business rate increases?

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